Turbomeca Reveals Pyrenees-Themed Name for TM800: Arrano

By Staff Writer | April 1, 2013

Turbomeca uncovered its TM800 during an unveiling
ceremony at Heli-Expo, giving it the name Arrano.

In an unveiling that featured an almost Cirque de Soleil-style introduction with acrobats fitting for Las Vegas and CEO Olivier Andries perched above a crowd gathered around the company’s booth, Turbomeca took the wraps off its latest engine on March 5 during Heli-Expo. Known as the Arrano—which translated from the Basque language means “eagle” and follows the Turbomeca tradition of naming engines after the Pyrenees mountains near the company’s headquarters in Bordes, France—the 1,100-shp engine was first mentioned as the TM800 concept in mid-2012.

Designed for the four to six-ton helicopter class and intended to fill the space between the Arriel and Ardiden engine lines, the Arrano incorporates various research and technology efforts through the Tech 800 demonstrator. The first platform that Arrano will power is the Eurocopter X4, which will be offered as one of two engine options along with Pratt & Whitney’s PW210. The X4 is projected to enter service in 2017. Turbomeca plans to conduct the first test run of the Arrano in 2014. Among the benefits the new engine will offer is 10 to 15 percent lower fuel consumption, higher range, increased payload and a lower environmental footprint, according to the company.